Hot Topics:

NFL: Washington fires Mike Shanahan on busy day of coaching firings around the league

Associated Press

Posted:
12/30/2013 09:01:15 PM PST

Updated:
12/30/2013 10:40:58 PM PST

Mike Shanahan's plan to restore order, professionalism and consistent success to the Washington Redskins disintegrated quickly in 2013, costing him his job Monday a day after the team finished a 3-13 season.

Shanahan was fired after a morning meeting with owner Dan Snyder and general manager Bruce Allen at Redskins Park, a formality expected for several weeks as the losses mounted and tension rose among Shanahan, Snyder and franchise player Robert Griffin III.

"Redskins fans deserve a better result," Snyder said in a statement.

Allen then announced a new power structure, saying the team's next coach will not have the all-encompassing role held by Shanahan. Allen said he has an "open list" as he begins the search for a replacement, including NFL and college coaches, but that he will assume of the duties of having final say over the roster.

"That power will be with me," Allen said.

Shanahan went 24-40 in four seasons in Washington and had one year remaining on his five-year, $35 million contract.

Snyder is seeking his eighth head coach for his 16th season as an NFL owner -- a span that includes just four winning seasons, two playoff victories and seven last-place finishes in the NFC East.

Lions: Jim Schwartz was hired to turn around the Lions, and he did it for three seasons.

He failed to keep the Lions going in the right direction the next two years -- and it cost him his job.

The Lions fired Schwartz one day after their late-season slide ended with a loss at Minnesota. He had two years and nearly $12 million left on his contract.

San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is among the potential candidates. Whisenhunt led the Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl during a six-year run as their coach, and Lions general manager Martin Mayhew is a former Washington teammate.

Vikings: Leslie Frazier's admirers were all over the Vikings locker room and throughout the organization.

In the NFL, though, even the class acts have a hard time staying when the losses pile up.

The Vikings fired Frazier one year after they made the playoffs and one day after they finished a 5-10-1 season.

"It's a harsh business," safety Harrison Smith said. "As a player, we all love Coach Frazier, as a coach, as a man. You can't meet a better guy. And also as a player, we didn't make enough plays on the field. So you just feel like you let him down a little bit."

Frazier finished 21-33-1 in three-plus years.

Buccaneers: Embattled coach Greg Schiano was fired after two losing years extended the franchise's playoff drought to six seasons. General manager Mark Dominik was also ousted, ending an unsuccessful five-year stint that produced flashes of hope but far more disappointment than ownership felt was acceptable. A season-ending 42-17 loss to New Orleans dropped Schiano's record to 11-21.

Giants: Co-owner John Mara told the 67-year-old Tom Coughlin that he wants him to return for an 11th season with the team that he led to Super Bowl titles in 2008 and 2012 despite a disappointing 7-9 record.

Seahawks: Coach Pete Carroll said Percy Harvin will practice when the Seahawks return later this week to prepare for their NFC divisional playoff game Jan. 11. Carroll said there is no guarantee Harvin will be able to play. But Harvin has reached a point in his recovery from hip surgery -- and a setback following his one game this season -- where he can return to practice in time for the postseason.